We’re not going to lie, Setariki Tuicuvu is more comfortable sticking a stamp or flattening a corner, in Superman mode, than behind the press conference microphones. But Thursday noon, alongside Beka Gigashvili, the Fijian international (29 years old, 12 caps), willingly lent himself to the game. And always with a smile, his trademark.
Landed last season as a World Cup joker, “Seta” quickly became one of Pierre Mignoni’s key men. The RCT coach explains: “He’s a versatile player who reeks of rugby. He brings a lot to the team. It’s simple: he knows how to play rugby. He can defend, attack, score incredible tries… He’s complete!”
“I was lacking a little juice”
To the point of having only missed one match sheet since the start of the season (against the Stormers in South Africa). And yet. Even though he started six times out of his twelve appearances, Setariki Tuicuvu did not have the smoothest first six months.
It details: “I’m trying to get back in shape. In the first matches, I wasn’t feeling well. I was lacking a bit of juice.” And Pierre Mignoni to complete. In a cash way, but with real kindness: “Sometimes he has to wake up a bit. I saw him a little better last season. “Seta” had a bit of trouble in the off-season. He returned to Fiji… (smile). Let’s say that the return to reality took a little longer. But he’s someone we adore. I want to see him jump everywhere, run everywhere. When he is physically fit, he is just incredible. He knows how to do everything. There, I feel that he is getting back into shape. »
Versatile winger, center and back, Setariki Tuicuvu is far from hiding. Neither on the pitch, nor when you have to judge your performances. Even if the person concerned admits it, it is not always easy to play the role ofutility backs out of the bench: “I’ve been a substitute quite a bit. And in this role, I have to cover all the positions. It’s not always easy when you change every week. You have to know all the roles. If you make a mistake on one action, it can get us into trouble And it’s also complicated on Monday, when on video, they show you your mistakes in front of everyone. (laughs).”
Communication as an axis of progression
If on the field, “Seta” speaks the universal language of rugby, the native of Nadi still has to work on one point: communication with his partners. Not necessarily easy for the discreet Fijian. He recounts, with shyness and frankness: “The team knows me and knows that I’m like that. I try to talk a little on the pitch… but I need more! My teammates encourage me. They can see that I don’t talk (laughs). Well, a little bit, eh! I try to speak loudly but even then they can’t hear me. So in training, I push myself. That’s my goal. Maso [Andrea Masi] and Peter [Mignoni] tell me. I have to continue!”
Last season, the director of rugby had already targeted this area of progress for his three-quarters. So, a year later? “Yes, he has progressed in this sector. Afterwards, I am not going to make him a Jérémy Sinzelle (laughs). But “Seta”, above all, I want him to keep this pleasure of the game. This is often the case among the Fijians. We find it at Jiuta [Wainiqolo]. Now he must put it at the service of communication. In any case, he makes a lot of effort. » A good omen for “Super Seta”… and for Toulon!
